Systems and methods for providing surface connectivity of oriented conductive channels

ABSTRACT

An electrically conductive composite is disclosed that includes a dielectric material having a first side and a second side, conductive particles within the dielectric material layer, and a discontinuous layer of a conductive material on a first side of the dielectric layer. The conductive particles are aligned to form a plurality of conductive paths from the first side to the second side of the dielectric material, and each of the conductive paths is formed of at least a plurality of conductive particles. The discontinuous layer includes a plurality of non-mutually connected portions that cover portions of, but not all of, the first side of the dielectric material such that exposed portions of the underlying first side of the dielectric material remain exposed through the discontinuous layer, yet the discontinuous layer facilitates the electronic coupling together of a plurality of the conductive paths from the first side to the second side of the dielectric material.

PRIORITY

The present application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/834,948 filed Mar. 15, 2013, thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The invention generally relates to conductive polymeric and elastomericmaterials for use in a wide variety of applications, including withoutlimitation, conductive adhesives, conductive gaskets and conductivefilms.

The design of an electrically conductive pressure sensitive adhesive(PSA), for example, has long presented challenges at least becauseadhesive strength and flexibility generally decrease with increasedelectrical conductivity. The materials that are typically used (added)to provide good electrical conductivity are generally less flexible andinhibit adhesion. A conventional way to prepare a conductive coating isto fill a polymeric material with conductive particles, e.g., graphite,silver, copper, etc., then coat, dry and cure the polymeric binder. Inthese cases the conductive particles are in such a concentration thatthere is a conductive network formed when the particles are each inphysical contact with at least one other neighboring particle. In thisway, a conductive path is provided through the composite.

For pressure sensitive adhesives, however, if the particle concentrationis high enough to form a network in which particle-to-particle contactis maintained then there is little chance that the polymer (e.g.,elastomer) system of the PSA component is present in high enoughconcentrations to flow out to make surface-to-surface contact betweenthe substrates and an electrode, i.e., act as an adhesive. Conversely,if the PSA component is in sufficient concentration to make sufficientsurface contact to the substrate, the PSA would have to interruptadjacent conductive particles such that particle-to-particle contact isdisrupted.

Another type of electrically conductive PSA includes conductivespherical particles with diameters equal to or greater than thethickness of the PSA. In this fashion the signal or current may becarried along the surface of the particles, thus providing current flowanisotropically in the z dimension of the adhesive. The continuity ofthe adhesive however, may be compromised.

Salts, such as sodium or potassium chloride, readily dissolve when in anaqueous medium, and their ions dissociate (separate into positive andnegative ions). The dissociated ions may then convey an electricalcurrent or signal. For this reason, salts have long been added to water,which then may be added to polymeric and elastomeric materials, toprovide good electrical conductivity. For example, U.S. Pat. No.6,121,508 discloses a pressure sensitive adhesive hydrogel for use in abiomedical electrode. The gel material is disclosed to include at leastwater, potassium chloride and polyethylene glycol, and is disclosed tobe electrically conductive. U.S. Pat. No. 5,800,685 also discloses anelectrically conductive adhesive hydrogel that includes water, salt, aninitiator or catalyst and a cross linking agent. The use of suchhydrogels however, also generally requires the use of a conductivesurface at one side of the hydrogel (away from the patient) that iscapable of receiving the ionically conductive charge, such assilver/silver chloride, which is relatively expensive.

While these hydrogel/adhesives can have good electrically conductiveproperties, they often have only fair adhesion properties. Anotherdownside is that the electrical conductivity changes with changing watercontent, such as changes caused by evaporation, requiring that thehydrogels be maintained in a sealed environment prior to use, and thenused for a limited period of time only due to evaporation.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,651,638 discloses a water insensitive alternatingcurrent responsive composite that includes a polymeric material and apolar material (such as an organo salt) that is substantially dispersedwithin the polymeric material. The polymeric material and the polarmaterial are chosen such that they each exhibit a mutual attraction thatis substantially the same as the attraction to itself. Because of this,the polar material neither clumps together nor blooms to a surface ofthe polymeric material, but remains suspended within the polymericmaterial. This is in contrast to the use of salts in other applicationswherein the salt is intended to bloom to the surface (to provide aconductive layer along a surface, e.g., for static discharge).

U.S. Pat. No. 5,082,595 discloses an electrically conductive pressuresensitive adhesive that includes carbon particles, and the conductiveadhesive is disclosed to be prepared by incorporating black filler(carbon) into the pressure sensitive adhesive in such a manner as toimpart electrical conductivity, yet have a concentration low enough toavoid adversely affecting the physical properties (such as tack) of theadhesive. In particular, this patent states that slurry of the carbonblack in an organic solvent is formed under mild agitation or stirringin the absence of high shear, so that carbon structures are therebyformed. The mixture may then be introduced into an adhesive. Such acomposite, however, may not provide sufficient adhesiveness andconductivity in certain applications.

Such composites may also include areas with relatively greater or lesserconcentrations of structures of carbon black. Certain conductivepolymeric and elastomeric materials that include conductive particles inconcentration within the polymeric or elastomeric material, maytherefore exhibit inconsistent electrical properties over the surface ofthe material.

There remains a need therefore, for a composite for use as a conductivepolymeric material that provides electrical conductivity withoutcompromising the desired properties of the polymeric material, andfurther, there is a need for conductive polymeric materials that provideconsistent electrical characteristics.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an embodiment, the invention provides an electricallyconductive composite that includes a dielectric material layer having afirst side and a second side; conductive particles within the dielectricmaterial, and a discontinuous layer of a conductive material on a firstside of the dielectric material. The conductive particles are aligned toform a plurality of conductive paths from the first side to the secondside of the dielectric material, and each of the conductive paths isformed of at least a plurality of conductive particles. Thediscontinuous layer of a conductive material includes a plurality ofnon-mutually connected portions that cover portions of, but not all of,the first side of the dielectric material such that exposed portions ofthe underlying first side of the dielectric material remain exposedthrough the discontinuous layer, yet the discontinuous layer facilitatesthe electronic coupling together of a plurality of the conductive pathsfrom the first side to the second side of the dielectric material.

In accordance with another embodiment, the invention provides anelectrically conductive composite including a dielectric material havinga first side and a second side, conductive particles within thedielectric material, and a patterned layer of a conductive material on afirst side of the dielectric material. The conductive particles arealigned to form a plurality of conductive paths from the first side tothe second side of the dielectric material, and each of the conductivepaths is formed of at least a plurality of conductive particles. Thepatterned layer includes a plurality of mutually connected portions thatcover portions of, but not all of, the first side of the dielectricmaterial such that exposed portions of the underlying first side of thedielectric material remain exposed through a plurality of portions ofthe patterned layer, yet the patterned layer facilitates the electroniccoupling together of a plurality of the conductive paths from the firstside to the second side of the dielectric material.

In accordance with a further embodiment, the invention provides anelectrically conductive composite that includes a dielectric materialhaving a first side and a second side, conductive particles within thedielectric material, and a layer of a conductive material on a firstside of the dielectric layer. The conductive particles are aligned toform a plurality of conductive paths from the first side to the secondside of the dielectric material, and each of the conductive paths isformed of at least a plurality of conductive particles. The layer ofconductive material has a thickness of less than about 10 mils andincludes open portions through which exposed portions of the underlyingfirst side of the dielectric material remain exposed through the openportions of the layer of conductive material, yet the layer ofconductive material facilitates the electronic coupling together of aplurality of the conductive paths from the first side to the second sideof the dielectric material.

In accordance with a further embodiment, the invention provides a methodof forming an electrically conductive composite. The method includes thesteps of providing a dielectric material; dispersing conductiveparticles within the dielectric material; conducting electrophoresis ordielectrophoresis to cause said conductive particles to become alignedto form a plurality of conductive paths from a first side of thedielectric material to a second side of the dielectric material, each ofsaid conductive paths being formed of at least a plurality of conductiveparticles; depositing a partial layer of conductive material on a firstside of the dielectric layer, said frangible layer including a pluralityof mutually conductive portions that cover portions of, but not all of,the first side of the dielectric material such that exposed portions ofthe underlying first side of the dielectric material remain exposedthrough a plurality of portions of the partial layer, yet the partiallayer facilitates the electronic coupling together of a plurality of theconductive paths from the first side to the second side of thedielectric material; and applying a release layer to the first side ofthe dielectric material together with the partial layer of conductivematerial, to provide that the release layer may be later removed,permitting the first side of the dielectric material together with thepartial layer of conductive material to be applied to a subject.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description may be further understood with reference tothe accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of a composite for use inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention prior to electrophoresis;

FIGS. 2 and 3 show illustrative diagrammatic views of the composite ofFIG. 1 during electrophoresis;

FIG. 4 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of the composite of FIG.1 following electrophoresis;

FIG. 5 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of the composite of FIG.4 during analysis of certain of its electrical properties;

FIG. 6 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of two composites of FIG.4 being combined face to face and include electrodes for coupling toimpedance monitoring equipment;

FIG. 7 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of a portion of compositein accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 shows an illustrative diagrammatic plan view of a portion of acomposite in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention thatincludes a discontinuous layer of conductive material;

FIG. 9 shows an illustrative diagrammatic plan view of a portion of acomposite in accordance with another embodiment of the present inventionthat includes a continuous patterned layer of conductive material;

FIG. 10 shows an illustrative diagrammatic plan view of a portion of acomposite in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention thatincludes a discontinuous layer of conductive material in a stripedpattern;

FIG. 11 shows an illustrative diagrammatic plan view of a portion of acomposite in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention thatincludes a continuous layer of conductive material in a spiral pattern;

FIG. 12 shows an illustrative diagrammatic plan view of a portion of acomposite in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention thatincludes a continuous layer of conductive material in a random pattern;

FIG. 13 shows an illustrative diagrammatic plan view of a portion of acomposite in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention thatincludes a layer of conductive material in a logo pattern;

FIGS. 14A and 14B show an illustrative diagrammatic view of a compositein accordance with an embodiment of the invention that show a thin filmconductive layer being transferred from a carrier to the composite;

FIG. 15 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of a composite inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention with a release layerapplied to the subject contact surface thereof;

FIG. 16 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of a composite for usein accordance with a further embodiment of the invention prior toelectrophoresis;

FIG. 17 shows an illustrative diagrammatic view of the composite of FIG.16 following electrophoresis

FIG. 18 shows an illustrative diagrammatic plan view of a signalreceptive composite in accordance with an embodiment of the invention inwhich at least one layer of conductive material covers an entire surfaceof the dielectric layer; and

FIG. 19 shows an illustrative diagrammatic side view of the signalreceptive composite of FIG. 18.

The drawings are shown for illustrative purposes only.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Applicant has discovered that certain conductive materials, such asmaterials that include conductive paths that are formed byelectrophoresis, may exhibit inconsistent electrical properties. Forexample, a conductive material may include conductive paths that areformed by an electrophoretic process that causes conductive particles(that are initially randomly dispersed within a continuous medium), toalign in the presence of an electric field, thereby forming theconductive paths. The continuous medium may or may not include a polarmaterial as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,651,638, the disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

If the conductive composite is then employed in an application thatrequires certain electrical properties in specific areas of thecomposite, the electrical properties may be inconsistent. Because ofthis, the formed structure channel density may be less where it isneeded and greater where it is not, and the polymeric adhesive densitymay be less where it is needed and greater where it is not.

As shown in FIG. 1, a composite of the present invention prior toelectrophoresis includes conductive materials 10 (e.g., 0.1% to 5% byweight carbon particles, and preferably 1% to 5% by weight carbonparticles) within a dielectric material 12 (e.g., a pressure sensitiveadhesive, a heat activatable adhesive or a radiation curable adhesive).As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when conductive plates 14, 16 are positionedon either side 15, 17 of the composite and an electric field (V₁-V₂) isapplied, the conductive material 10 naturally find areas where aninitial conductive particle becomes attracted to a first inner surface18 of the composite. As soon as this happens the distance between theinitially attached conductive materials and an opposing second innersurface 20 is then shorter than the full distance between the innersurfaces 18, 20. This causes more conductive particles to becomeattracted to the ends of the thus forming channels, and within a veryshort time, conductive channels 22 a, 22 b, 22 c are formed across thecomposite as shown in FIG. 4. If an alternating electric field isapplied, the particles will alternately build from opposing innersurfaces (which may be referred to as dielectrophoresis).

When plate conductors (e.g., 14, 16) are employed the placement of thechannels is believed to be largely a function of slight variations inthe conductors 14, 16 that favor an initial particle becoming attractedto a first surface. Once this occurs, the channel locations are thusdefined. The use of one or more point conductors, on the other hand,would provide certainty in the placement of the channels. The plateconductors (or layers of conductive material) may be formed of a widevariety of conductive material, including conductive carbon and metallicfoil.

Conductive particles, dispersed in a continuous polymeric layer and thenacted upon by an electric field may, under certain conditions therefore,agglomerate to form “Z” directional conductive channels, providingelectrophoretically formed conductive pathways through a polymericcomposite. Once formed, these conductive channels are fairly durable andpermit a biomedical electrode (such as an EKG electrode) to pass certainstandards for such electrodes as discussed in more detail below. Theconductive particles may include any of carbon or metal (includingsilver and silver nanoparticles). It is also believed that a largenumber of thermoplastic polymers may be employed in place of thepressure sensitive adhesive when subjected to a sufficiently high orlong standing electromagnetic field. Thus heat activated adhesives andeven thermally or radiation thermoset adhesive, may also be employed incertain applications. As used herein the term “activation” refers toboth electrophoretic (DC voltage applied) and dielectrophoretic (ACvoltage applied).

When a composite that includes randomly located channels is tested forits electrical characteristics, these characteristics (e.g., impedance),may vary for different locations on the composite. For example, FIG. 5shows a composite that includes the pressure sensitive adhesive 12 andconductive channels 22 a, 22 b, 22 c wherein impedance testing probes 28and 30 placed on outer surfaces 24, 26 of the composite (and whichhappen to align with channel 22 a) would measure a much lower impedancethan would impedance testing probes 32, 34 (which do not align with anyof the conductive channels 22 a, 22 b, 22 c). The results of suchimpedance tests would be widely varying depending on whether the probeshappened to be positioned in alignment with a conductive channel.

Certain other tests may involve overlaying a first conductive compositeon top of another conductive composite and measuring electricalcharacteristics across both composites combined. As shown in FIG. 6, ifa first conductive composite including the pressure sensitive adhesive12 and conductive channels 22 a, 22 b, 22 c were place over a secondconductive composite including a pressure sensitive adhesive 12′ andconductive channels 22 a′ and 22 b′, the channels 22 a′ and 22 b′ maynot align with any of the channels 22 a, 22 b or 22 c. No conductivepath would therefore, be provided between test plates 36, 38 that arecoupled to impedance test sources 40, 42. Even though each of thecomposites includes conductive channels, because their channels are notaligned, the test would report high impedance. A test that involvescombining two such composites (as discussed above with reference to FIG.6) is commonly used to test the impedance of biomedical electrodes. Ifthe test results in a single impedance value of greater than 3,000 Ohms,the device has failed the test in accordance with AAMIEC12-2000-4.2.2.1. The results of the test may therefore varyconsiderably (between passing and failing) depending on the variabilityof whether conductive channels happen to become aligned between the testplates 36, 38.

In particular, an example of such a biomedical electrode is an EKGelectrode where preformed conductive structures from two test electrodesbeing put through AAMI-EC-12-2000-4.2.2.1 protocol may not have aconductive structure from one of the test electrodes making contact witha conductive structure on the second test electrode. Thus each electrodeindividually may well work in detecting EKG signals, it may not passAAMI-EC-12-2000-4.2.2.1, which is a major test in qualifying usable EKGelectrodes.

For example, when EKG electrodes are activated individually (i.e., notin contact with a second electrode during the activation process) andthen put face to face to run AAMI-EC-12-2000-4.2.2.1 (test forimpedance), the “Z” directional conductive structures formed on eachelectrode (conductive channels) may not line up to form connectedpathways across the two electrodes. No contact between the “Z”directional conductive channels from one electrode and the “Z”directional conductive channels to the second electrode would result ina failure in this qualification test.

A solution to this problem involves applying a conductive material overa portion of the surface of the preformed or preplaced conductivestructure containing adhesive. This surface conductive material wouldmake contact with the preformed conductive structures yielding a largersurface contact area, therefore allowing greater alignment of theconductive structures from the two electrodes to each other thusfacilitating the passing of AAMI-EC-12-2000-4.2.2.1.

As shown in FIG. 7, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention, a conductive layer 50 is applied over a portion of, but notall of, an exposed surface 24 of the composite. As further shown in FIG.8, the conductive layer 50 may be discontinuous, as long as many of theconductive portions each cover a plurality of conductive channels sothat a probe positioned on the outer surface will contact some portionof the conductive layer 50

As shown in FIG. 9, the conductive layer may be provided as a continuouspattern that forms a grid 52, connecting a large number of conductivechannels. As shown in FIG. 10, the conductive layer may be formed as aplurality of discontinuous patterned shapes such as stripes 54. As shownin FIG. 11, the conductive layer may be formed as a continuous spiralpattern 56. As shown in FIG. 12, the conductive layer may be formed as acontinuous random line pattern 58. As shown in FIG. 13, the conductivelayer may be formed as a continuous or discontinuous logo pattern 60.

The conductive layers 50, 52, 54, 56, 58 and 60 may be formed in avariety of ways, for example including but not limited to, printing of aconductive ink, or the application of a frangible film by transfer asdiscussed below in more detail with regard to FIGS. 14A and 14B.

To insure that pre-activated ECG electrodes pass the AAMI Impedance Testtherefore, a conductive layer is placed over the conductive channelscontacting at least one or more “Z” directional conductive channels andfurther, making them of such a size so as to increase the probabilitythat at least two such surface conductive layers make contact with oneanother.

The composition and application of this conductive layer material mayinvolve the application of a carbon dispersion based coatable orprintable material such as FLEXcon's EXV-216 carbon dispersion sold byFLEXcon Company, Inc. of Spencer, Mass. at a thickness of between about1 mil and about 10 mil, and preferably between about 2 mil and about 5mil. This material may be coated either directly by screen, gravure, orflexographic printing etc., directly onto the continuous polymericlayer, or printed to a specific arrangement of either continuous ordiscrete elements on a carrier with limited adhesion to said coating orink. The preprinted pattern may then be applied to activated electrodevia a transfer mechanism.

As shown for example, in FIGS. 14A and 14B, such a conductive layer 62may be coated or printed onto a carrier substrate 64. The conductivelayer 62 may be a frangible layer that is formed by printing or otherdeposition technique, or by thin film transfer, and may, for example,include conductive ink or a metal foil. When the carrier substrate isbrought into contact with the polymer 12 (FIG. 14A), the conductivelayer 62 is transferred to the polymer 12 as it has a greater adhesionto the polymer 12. When the substrate 64 is then separated to from thepolymer 12 (FIG. 14B), the conductive layer 62 remains with the polymer12 as it has the greater adhesive to the polymer. In other embodiments,one may apply the conductive ink as a single continuous layer to areleasable substrate and then, using a patterned die, transfer thedesired geometric form to the electrode.

An alternative conductive material from which to construct theconductive layer may be from the numerously available metallic foils ormetallic conductive particle inks, metal transfer made from about 2500 Ådeposition of aluminum vacuum deposited on a silicone coated 2 mil (50μ) PET film, were also determined to be viable as a conductive bridgematerial.

As shown in FIG. 15, a composite of the invention that includes apartial layer 70 of conductive material (e.g., a conductive layer 50,52, 54, 56, 58 or 60), may be applied to a dielectric material 12 havingformed conductive channels 22 a, 22 b, 22 c as discussed above, and arelease liner 72 may then be applied to the exposed surface of thedielectric material 12 that includes the partial layer 70. During use,the release layer 72 may be removed, and the composite may be adhered toa subject (e.g., as a biomedical electrode applied to a patient).

As shown in FIG. 16, a composite of a further embodiment of the presentinvention prior to electrophoresis includes conductive materials 80(e.g., 5% to 25% by weight carbon particles) within a dielectricmaterial 82 (e.g., a pressure sensitive adhesive, a heat activatableadhesive or a radiation curable adhesive). When conductive plates 84, 86are positioned on either side 85, 87 of the composite and an electricfield (V₁-V₂) is applied, the conductive material 80 naturally findareas where an initial conductive particle becomes attracted to innersurfaces 88, 90 as discussed above due to either electrophoresis ordielectrophoresis. This causes conductive channels 92 a, 92 b, 92 c tobe formed across the composite as discussed above and shown in FIG. 17.Note that the original composite shown in FIG. 16 includes at least oneconductive path 81 that was naturally formed in the composite prior toelectrophoresis or dielectrophoresis. Following electrophoresis ordielectrophoresis further conductive particles are agglomerated onto thepath 81 in forming the path 92 c.

FIGS. 18 and 19 show a further embodiment of the invention in whichsignal receptive composite 100 includes top and bottom conductive layers102, 104 on either side of a dielectric material 106 that includes thepolar material. The conductive layers therefore, may in variousembodiments, cover all of either or both sides of the dielectricmaterial. In certain embodiments, the electrophoresis ordielectrophoresis may be applied directly through the conductive layers102, 104, which form the conductive layers for the plate conductors ofthe biomedical electrode.

EXAMPLE 1

To a 2 mil (50 μ) polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film was coated aconductive carbon dispersion of FLEXcon's EXV-216 carbon dispersion at asurface resistance of ˜80 Ω/sq. Over this was coated 2.5 mil (63 μ)dispersion of FLEXcon's V-12 HW with 10% conductive carbon (by weight ontotal solids). Using the AAMI impedance test protocol discussed above,the “Z” direction impedance was measured and averaged 1300 k Ω. When aring with a 0.69″ (17.5 mm) O.D. and 0.25″ (6.36 mm) I.D. composed ofFLEXcon's EXV-216, was placed on top of the V-12 HW/Carbon mixture oneach of two electrodes and the two electrodes were then placed face toface with the rings making contact against each other and the V-12HWadhesive, the resulting Z direction impedance averaged 775Ω.

The difference in impedance is believed to be the result of theconductive rings connecting a few, random, occasional, Z directionalconductive channels formed naturally by just having conductive particlesdispersed in the polymeric component, in this case a PSA. The conductivering (bridge) makes contact with some of these random conductivechannels and provides an X-Y direction component to the connectivity ofthe pathways resulting in lower net impedance. It should be noted thatif the V-12 HW/Carbon mixture, as described above was subjected toelectrophoretic aggregation, thus forming many more conductive channelsthe impedance would be at least 2× lower or around 300Ω or less. It isimportant to note that the before activation impedance (775) at a 10%conductive carbon loading has a significantly distribution, in this caseusing 30 individual readings the standard deviation is 65% of the mean.The post activation standard deviation is 58% of the mean.

In another example using a 20% carbon loading with the same conductivering being used as the bridge, the before impedance mean was 650 Ω witha standard deviation at 63% of said mean. Post activation the mean wasagain 300 SI with the standard deviation at 20% of the mean.

In all such cases the impedance test done as per AAMI EC12 2000-4.2.2.1.It was assumed that the random conductive channels without the surfaceconductive bridge are present, but when the two electrodes are placedadhesive to adhesive said conductive channels fail to line up.

Another consideration of using a surface conductive layer as aconductive bridge is that it could act as a contact through which theactivation process is accomplished. In this scenario the conductivelayer would be placed on the surface of the dispersed conductiveparticle polymer mix, then electrical contact made to the conductivebridge and the “conductive channels” would form between the bridge layerand the second electrical contact.

Of course, if either the bridge layer or the second electrical contactis constructed with multiple elements, it becomes possible to activatethe conductive particle polymer mixture in a selective pattern. Thisallows unique electrical pathways to be created specific to desiredpatterns which would form the basis for an electrical “thumbprint”.

There is a limitation as to the extent to which the area of the bridgematerial vs. the total area of the continuous polymer layer, at leastless than 100%. This becomes quite apparent when the continuous polymerlayer is to act as an adhesive. An example of this important limitationcan be realized in the case of an EKG electrode. Here sufficient contactarea of the PSA to maintain adequate bond to the patient's skin.Obviously the tackier the PSA, the less surface area would be needed tomaintain adhesion, however a stiffer, less conformable device wouldrequire more surface area to establish and maintain above. Further otherenvironmental conditions such as dryness temperature at which the bondmust be maintained as well as other structural forces, attaching wiresfor example, must be considered when determining what is the minimum orpreferable % bonding area, which in turn directs the maximum surfacearea of the surface conductive layer. Thus there is not generallyapplicable hard and fast rule as to the extent of conductive bridgematerial on the surface of an adhesive layer, the totality of themechanical, environmental etc. requirements dictate the limit on aspecific application. It has also been found that carbon is not the onlyconductive particulate, silver for one, can form conductive structuresby electrophoresis.

EXAMPLE 2

Silver nanoparticle dispersion, obtained from Chasm Technology Inc. ,480 Neponset St., Canton, Mass. 02021, designated, 120727-01, wasblended into FLEXcon's V-95 at ˜0.75% silver by weight to the adhesivepolymer dry. Samples were prepared as done for the carbon particlesystem already described, applied to a EXV-216 conductive carbon coatingat 1.3 mil (32.5 g) dry deposition, with a resulting surface resistanceof ˜80Ω/sq. to a 2 mil white PET film. The silver nano-particles & V-95mix was then coated to produce a 2 mil dry thickness. The adhesive(V-95) nanoparticle dried mix was then applied to a stainless steelplate, which would serve as a ground for the activation stage. Toactivate, a 10 μF capacitor was charged to 200 VDC and dischargedthrough a 20 KΩ resistor on through the V-95/Silver nanoparticle mixtureto ground.

With an average starting impedance, measured at 10 Hz and 20 mV, of 5200KΩ the samples then yielded an average of 1.4 KΩ after activation. Aswith the carbon particle, analog structures running through thethickness were observed.

EXAMPLE 3

A second carbon dispersion was prepared by mixing into FLEXcon's V-95PSA ˜5% “Black Pearls” carbon black from the Cabot Corporation, Boston,MA and ˜7% (on solids) Arquad HTL8-MS, being used here more as adispersant aid. A 2 mil (50 μm) dry coating was applied to a substrate,2 mil (50 μm) white PET coated with FLEXcon's EXV-216 to a surfaceresistance of 80 c/sq. inch. The pre-activation impedance averaged 2.5mega Si; post activation the impedance averaged 2.7 KΩ. Activationconditions were the same as for the previously used carbon dispersions(from the test apparatus used in AAMI EC 12 -2000-4.2.2.4 DefibrillationOverload Recovery test).

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the continuousdielectric layer may be covered with a conductive bridging layer across100% of the surface of the dielectric layer. In this circumstance anyadhesion characteristics of the continuous dielectric layer is negated.

Applications of this would be, for example, where a biomedical electrodeis being held in place by some mechanical device, a halter or elasticgarment, etc. and the adhesive properties are not required. In such acircumstance the conductive bridging material would cover the entiredielectric surface.

The continuous conductive layer would allow for a biological timevarying signals to be picked up and transferred to a monitoring deviceeither through capacitive coupling where the dielectric layer moiety ofthe signal receptive material (SRM) has a polar material uniformlydispersed within it but no conductive particles or a combination ofcapacitive coupling and direct electrical contact when the SRM consistof a dielectric material with a polar material uniformly dispersedwithin it and has conductive particles some of which have formed aconductive channel through the “Z” dimension connecting a conductivelayer to which the SRM is applied to a continuous conductive layerapplied to the opposite side of the SRM.

Likewise a continuous conductive layer applied over a dielectricmaterial with no polar material, but does have conductive particles,some of which have formed a conductive channel through the “Z” dimensionconnecting a conductive layer to which the SRM is applied to acontinuous conductive layer applied to the opposite side of the SRM. Thedielectric material, even in the case where there is a direct electricalconnection made between the electrical contact leading to the monitorand the continuous conductive layer making contact to the source of thebiological signal, through “Z” dimensional conductive channels, has asignificant mechanical function. When the dielectric material is chosento have flexibility and viscoelastic properties, it facilitatesmaintaining a uniform contact to the bio-signal source by acting asmovable material which would allow for the equilibrating of stressesbetween the conductive layer in contact with the signal source andconductive layer leading to the monitor.

EXAMPLE 4

An SRM material was provided using FLEXcon's V-95 adhesive to which wasadded 25% by dry weight to dry weight of the total mixture, of ArquadHTL-8 MS-CLR (from Akzo Nobel, 525 West Van Buren, Chicago, Ill. 60607)and 15% by dry weight of a conductive carbon, Aquablak 5909 (fromSolution Dispersions, Cynthiana, Ky. 41031. The wet mixture was appliedto a release coated polyester film and oven dried to remove solvent.

The dry SRM was then coated on a first side with FLEXcon's EXV 468BK, aconductive coating, to a dry thickness of 2.5 mil. The release coatedpolyester film was then removed from the SRM and an insulating polyestermask layer with a 2 inch by 2 inch opening was applied over the SRMApplied over the 2 inch by 2 inch opening of adhesive, was a continuousconductive material at ˜2.5 mil in thickness, comprising another secondlayer of EXV 468 BK.

This composite was attached by a copper cable to an ECG monitor (MAC1200 from GE Medical Systems), to the second conductive layer ofEXV-468BK. The first conductive layer of EXV 468BK was pressed to theskin of the test subject. Following testing, an ECG trace resulted whichmatched the trace yielded by the electrodes as described in USApplication U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0092881.

In the same fashion an electrode constructed as described in U.S. Pat.No. 7,651,638 with the additional conductive layer of EXV-468NK suchthat all of the adhesive area is covered. In this example the SRMcontains a polar material uniformly dispersed in the dielectric; noadditional conductive particles are added. The results showed nodifferences in the ECG plot vs. those obtained with the SRM described inU.S. Pat. No. 7,651,638.

Another example was tested using a second composition described in U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0092881. In this example an SRMwith just conductive particles, no polar material was prepared, in thefashion already described. The results were the same, i.e. the ECG plotwas identical to that obtained by the same SRM (without the polarmaterial). The conclusion is that covering the SRMs is provided with aconductive layer that does not inhibit the signal responsiveness ofthese electrodes. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that numerousmodifications and variations may be made to the above disclosedembodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electrically conductive composite comprising:a dielectric material having a first side and a second side; conductiveparticles within the dielectric material, said conductive particlesbeing aligned to form a plurality of conductive paths from the firstside to the second side of the dielectric material, each of saidconductive paths being formed of at least a plurality of conductiveparticles; and a discontinuous layer of a conductive material on a firstside of the dielectric layer, said discontinuous layer including aplurality of non-mutually connected portions that cover portions of, butnot all of, the first side of the dielectric material such that exposedportions of the underlying first side of the dielectric material remainexposed through the discontinuous layer, yet the discontinuous layerfacilitates the electronic coupling together of a plurality of theconductive paths from the first side to the second side of thedielectric material.
 2. An electrically conductive composite as claimedin claim 1, wherein said conductive particles include carbon.
 3. Anelectrically conductive composite as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidconductive particles include a metal.
 4. An electrically conductivecomposite as claimed in claim 3, wherein said conductive particles aresilver.
 5. An electrically conductive composite as claimed in claim 4,wherein said conductive particles are silver nanoparticles.
 6. Anelectrically conductive composite as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidconductive paths are naturally occurring.
 7. An electrically conductivecomposite as claimed in claim 1, wherein said conductive paths areformed by electrophoresis or dielectrophoresis.
 8. An electricallyconductive composite as claimed in claim 1, wherein said conductivelayer includes conductive carbon.
 9. An electrically conductivecomposite as claimed in claim 1, wherein said conductive layer includesmetallic foil.
 10. An electrically conductive composite as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said dielectric material is an adhesive.
 11. Anelectrically conductive composite as claimed in claim 10, wherein saiddielectric material is a pressure sensitive adhesive.
 12. Anelectrically conductive composite as claimed in claim 10, wherein saiddielectric material is a heat activatable adhesive.
 13. An electricallyconductive composite as claimed in claim 10, wherein said dielectricmaterial is a radiation curable adhesive.
 14. An electrically conductivecomposite comprising: a dielectric material having a first side and asecond side; conductive particles within the dielectric material layer,said conductive particles being aligned to form a plurality ofconductive paths from the first side to the second side of thedielectric material, each of said conductive paths being formed of atleast a plurality of conductive particles; and a patterned layer of aconductive material on a first side of the dielectric, said patternedlayer including a plurality of mutually connected portions that coverportions of, but not all of, the first side of the dielectric materialsuch that exposed portions of the underlying first side of thedielectric material remain exposed through a plurality of portions ofthe patterned layer, yet the patterned layer facilitates the electroniccoupling together of a plurality of the conductive paths from the firstside to the second side of the dielectric material.
 15. An electricallyconductive composite as claimed in claim 14, wherein said conductiveparticles include carbon.
 16. An electrically conductive composite asclaimed in claim 14, wherein said conductive particles include a metal.17. An electrically conductive composite as claimed in claim 14, whereinsaid conductive paths are naturally occurring.
 18. An electricallyconductive composite as claimed in claim 14, wherein said conductivepaths are formed by electrophoresis or dielectrophoresis.
 19. Anelectrically conductive composite as claimed in claim 14, wherein saidconductive layer includes conductive carbon.
 20. An electricallyconductive composite as claimed in claim 14, wherein said conductivelayer includes metallic foil.
 21. An electrically conductive compositeas claimed in claim 14, wherein said dielectric material is a pressuresensitive adhesive.
 22. An electrically conductive composite comprising:a dielectric material having a first side and a second side; conductiveparticles within the dielectric material, said conductive particlesbeing aligned to form a plurality of conductive paths from the firstside to the second side of the dielectric material, each of saidconductive paths being formed of at least a plurality of conductiveparticles; and a layer of a conductive material on a first side of thedielectric layer, said layer of conductive material having a thicknessof less than about 10 mils and including open portions through whichexposed portions of the underlying first side of the dielectric materialremain exposed through the open portions of the layer of conductivematerial, yet the layer of conductive material facilitates theelectronic coupling together of a plurality of the conductive paths fromthe first side to the second side of the dielectric material.
 23. Amethod of forming an electrically conductive composite comprising thesteps of: providing a dielectric material; dispersing conductiveparticles within the dielectric material; conducting electrophoresis ordielectrophoresis to cause said conductive particles to become alignedto form a plurality of conductive paths from a first side of thedielectric material to a second side of the dielectric material, each ofsaid conductive paths being formed of at least a plurality of conductiveparticles; depositing a partial layer of conductive material on a firstside of the dielectric layer, said frangible layer including a pluralityof mutually conductive portions that cover portions of, but not all of,the first side of the dielectric material such that exposed portions ofthe underlying first side of the dielectric material remain exposedthrough a plurality of portions of the partial layer, yet the partiallayer facilitates the electronic coupling together of a plurality of theconductive paths from the first side to the second side of thedielectric material; and applying a release layer to the first side ofthe dielectric material together with the partial layer of conductivematerial, to provide that the release layer may be later removed,permitting the first side of the dielectric material together with thepartial layer of conductive material to be applied to a subject.
 24. Themethod as claimed in claim 23, wherein said step of depositing involvesprinting.
 25. The method as claimed in claim 23, wherein said step ofdepositing involves thin film transfer.
 26. An electrically conductivecomposite comprising: a dielectric material having a first side and asecond side; conductive particles within the dielectric material, saidconductive particles being aligned to form a plurality of conductivepaths from the first side to the second side of the dielectric material,each of said conductive paths being formed of at least a plurality ofconductive particles; and a layer of a conductive material totallycovering the first side of the dielectric layer, said layer ofconductive material having a thickness of less than about 10 mils saidlayer of conductive material facilitating in the electronic couplingtogether of a plurality of the conductive paths from the first side tothe second side of the dielectric material.
 27. An electricallyconductive composite as claimed in claim 26, wherein said conductiveparticles include carbon.
 28. An electrically conductive composite asclaimed in claim 26, wherein said conductive particles include a metal.29. An electrically conductive composite as claimed in claim 26, whereinsaid conductive paths are naturally occurring.
 30. An electricallyconductive composite as claimed in claim 26, wherein said conductivepaths are formed by electrophoresis or dielectrophoresis.
 31. Anelectrically conductive composite as claimed in claim 26, wherein saidconductive layer includes conductive carbon.
 32. An electricallyconductive composite as claimed in claim 26, wherein said conductivelayer includes metallic foil.
 33. An electrically conductive compositeas claimed in claim 26, wherein said dielectric material is a pressuresensitive adhesive.
 34. A signal receptive composite comprising: adielectric material having a first side and a second side, saiddielectric material including a polar material dispersed within thedielectric material; a layer of a conductive material applied to andtotally covering the first side of the dielectric layer, said layer ofconductive material having a thickness of less than about 10 mil. 34 Asignal receptive material as claimed in claim 33, wherein the polarmaterial is configured to align responsive to application of a timevarying signal from a biological subject.
 35. A signal receptivecomposite as claimed in claim 33, wherein said conductive layer includesconductive carbon.
 36. A signal receptive composite as claimed in claim33, wherein said conductive layer includes metallic foil.
 37. A signalreceptive composite as claimed in claim 33, wherein said dielectricmaterial is an adhesive.
 38. A signal receptive composite as claimed in33, wherein said dielectric material is a pressure sensitive adhesive.39. A signal receptive material as claimed in 33, wherein said polarmaterial comes from a chemical family of quaternary ammonium salts.